What is Low Code Development?

As the term itself suggests, low code development refers to building software applications and processes with little to no coding required. Low code development platforms have gained immense popularity of late, especially among the non-professional developers’ community. With the help of a low code platform, developers can create apps of various sorts and meet business demands. It’s a boon for those people who do not have extensive knowledge of coding.

What is a low code development platform?

A low code development platform or LCDP provides a development environment to build apps through a GUI instead of traditional programming languages. It uses visual interfaces with simple logic and drag-and-drop features to help amateurs develop mobile and web apps without any formal knowledge of coding or software development.

Features of a low code platform

A low code development platform encompasses several features to make the development process almost codeless and facile.

1. Visual Modelling Tools

Using visual models to develop an app is faster than developing the same using coding. Low code platforms are equipped with visual capabilities and utilize built-in components to make any information readable to anyone.

2. Drag and Drop Interfaces

This is one of the key features of a low code development platform that facilitates the application development process for professional as well as citizen developers. This feature can be found on every established low code platform where developers can create applications visually using simple drag and drop.

3. Cross-platform Accessibility

Low code platforms offer cross-platform compatibility support, which means an app built on a low code platform can run across platforms. It is also compatible with devices running on major operating systems like iOS and Android.

4. Out-of-the-box Functionality

This feature eliminates the need to build an application’s core modules from the very beginning as they come readily available with some low code platforms, such as modules for data management or customer-facing applications. One of the major aspects of low code platforms’ OOTB functionality is the reusability of the modules. They share common core functions for different applications and thus can be reused to build different solutions at a faster pace.

5. Reporting and Analysis

A low-code environment allows tracking the app’s workflow and processes to measure its effectiveness. It can also be used to assess the performance of the application, and for other analytical purposes.

6. Application Lifecycle Management

Low code development tools help streamline the various stages of the software development life cycle, such as debugging, testing, and deployment. These tools provide developers with access to the developed app-related information and give them the authority to switch back to earlier versions for better application lifecycle management.

What can you build with Low Code Platforms?

A range of applications can be built using low code platforms, such as-

1. Process Automation Apps

Use low code platforms to develop applications that automate processes and boost operational efficiency. These types of applications minimize the risk of error and also cut down the other associated costs.

2. Customer Engagement Apps

This can include customer-facing applications or an enterprise-grade application for different business tasks.

3. AI-based Solutions

One can leverage a low code platform to build AI and ML-based applications or solutions that minimize manual operations and process data effectively and efficiently.

Benefits of using a Low Code Platform

Here are a few reasons why you should consider using a low code platform or adopt a low code development approach.

1. Faster App Delivery

In today’s time, appreneurs demand the app be built and delivered in as little time as possible. This has been possible with low code development as such platforms comprise intuitive visual builders, ready-to-use code snippets, form and report templates, and built-in connectors that help develop and deliver the application in a quick span.

2. Reduced Cost

Low code development doesn’t require one to have coding expertise. And because there is no formal knowledge of coding required, it puts less burden on the companies to hire dedicated experts in their team, and hence they save on the hiring cost. Low code development is bound to be cost-efficient anyway as it doesn’t rely on too much coding. Also, since it enables even citizen developers to create apps without any IT involvement, this minimizes the costly resources that are usually involved in traditional development.

3. High Productivity

Since low code development enables the apps to be built in a shorter time period, the productivity level remains high. What usually used to take months now takes only a few days.

4. Better Customer Experience

With low code development, companies have the flexibility to quickly adapt to market changes and customer needs, which ultimately helps improve the customer experience.

5. Accelerates Digital Transformation

It’s imperative for businesses these days to keep up with changing business environments and modern demands. A low code development platform allows the organizations, undergoing digital transformation, accelerate their transformation cycle, innovate, and adapt faster.

Low Code vs No Code: Is there any difference between both?

There isn’t any major difference between Low code and No code. They are fundamentally the same; the difference lies in the name itself. No code development is a term used for non-developers or citizen developers. It might not necessarily mean that it doesn’t require any technical skills but generally implies that no programming language is used. No code, however, doesn’t always mean that no coding is required. If you ever feel like customizing your application, you will likely be adding code somewhere.

Low code development, on the other hand, is aimed towards developers but doesn’t require one to have coding expertise. For someone who is a beginner or possesses only a little technical knowledge, a low code development platform can prove to be extremely productive for him/her. It is also true that low code doesn’t always require coding. One can build applications, automate processes, or integrate data with no coding whatsoever.

You can say that low code is a term coined for low-level or junior developers which involves some level of coding while no code is a term coined for non-technical or business users with involvement of little to no coding.

Future of low code/no code development

Experts in this domain have predicted that low code development will witness continued enterprise adoption, specifically for rapid development and changing business needs, though this won’t be completely replacing traditional software development. Various studies suggest that the low code market will grow to almost $30 billion by 2025, and also that low code development will account for nearly 65% of all app development activity by 2024 for SMEs primarily.

Low code or no code has become a standard practice for software development in no time. And it will be exciting to see what it offers in the future, and in what other areas it leaves its imprint.